Leadership
Hillel invests in cultivating the future leaders of our Jewish people at a critical moment in their identity development. When they graduate, we want them to see themselves as leaders and know how to lead. Hillel leaders are taught hard skills for community engagement, developing best practices in outreach, securing partners, managing event logistics, working within a budget, creating welcoming spaces and evaluating impact. The Hillel Student Board is composed of students who can opt to focus their attention on specific interests. Leadership activities are student-driven, staff-supported and calibrated for every level leader (beginner to most senior). Efforts of student leaders elevate Hillel and the broader campus community.
Some of Our Programs:
- Student Board
- Engagement Interns
- Micro-community leadership: Challah for Hunger, Bearing Witness, Social Justice, Wellness
- Freshman Leadership Council
- Persian Community at Hillel
- Transfer Undergraduate Students at Hillel
- Senior Seminar and Senior Class Gift
- Students serving on Hillel’s governing Board of Directors
Shabbat /Holiday/ Learning
Celebration of Shabbat/Jewish rituals and engaging in Jewish learning are fundamental to the development of one’s sense of Jewish identity. Hillel offers a plurality of opportunities to immerse in Judaism, ranging from exploring ancient and contemporary text (and its applications to everyday life) to experiencing rituals to mark Jewish holidays. Radical inclusion enhances our whole community! Every Jewish Bruin can plug in, regardless of denominational affiliation or past Jewish experience.
Some of Our Programs:
- High Holy Days services/meals (for students and community at large)
- Weekly student-led Shabbat services and hearty, free Shabbat meals
- Jewish Learning Fellowships (8 weeks of text study with a cohort of peers + educator + food)
- Chevrutah-style, peer-to peer, learning
- Rosh Chodesh gatherings
- Torah Study with a Rabbi
- Hanukkah party and distribution of Hanukkah accoutrements
- Shabbat Around Westwood (students host Shabbat in their homes)
- Senior Speeches (reflections on lessons learned in Jewish community)
- Hillel Purim Pageant
- Kosher for Passover meals and seders
- Access to a fully stocked Beit Midrash (library of Jewish text)